Tanker Caught Dumping ‘Oily Waste’ In NJ Waters, Covering It Up

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — The chief engineer of a Greek oil tanker admitted Tuesday in Newark federal court that he improperly discharged an oily waste into the Arthur Kill near the Sewaren petroleum terminal, said U.S. Attorneys.

The illegal oil dumping occurred in September 2022, said federal prosecutors.

He and a second engineer also admitted trying to hide the illegal dumping by falsifying the ship's records, said U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger and Assistant NJ Attorney General Todd Kim.

Konstantinos Atsalis, 57, is the chief engineer of the M/T Kriti Ruby, a Greek oil tanker.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, including falsifying the vessel’s oil record book. Sonny Bosito, 54, the second ship's engineer, pleaded guilty to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships.

On September 14, 2022, the Kriti Ruby was docked near the Sewaren Terminal. Prosecutors say Atsalis directed lower-level engine room crew members to discharge overboard the contents of the vessel’s Sewage Holding Tank, into which he knew oily mixtures from the bilge had already been transferred.

Atsalis also admitted that he directed crew members to hide equipment used to do the dumping before members of the U.S. Coast Guard boarded the ship for inspection. He also falsified, or directed others to falsify, the boat's record logs.

Here is the federal indictment against both men:

• Atsalis.Information.pdf
• Bosito.Information.pdf

Atsalis is facing six years in U.S. prison, and a fine, and will be sentenced in October.